Inline skate wheel with foldable wheels

ABSTRACT

An inline skate wheel mount with foldable wheels includes a base plate, two side plates locked to two sides of the base plate and confining a receiving space therebetween, a plurality of wheel sets movably connected to the side plates and located at a bottom portion of the wheel mount, a linkage movably connected to the wheel sets for controlling extension of the wheel sets out of the wheel mount and folding of the wheel sets in the receiving space between the side plates, and a press positioning structure disposed between tail ends of the side plates for retaining and positioning the wheel sets. Folding and extension mechanisms of the wheel sets are based upon the principle of linkage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] (a) Field of the Invention:

[0002] The present invention relates to an inline skate, more particularly to a structure capable of folding and receiving wheels in a wheel mount.

[0003] (b) Description of the Prior Art:

[0004] The structure of a conventional inline skate generally includes a wheel mount, a skate boot coupled to an upper end of the wheel mount for wearing purposes, and a plurality of wheels arranged in a line coupled to a lower end of the wheel mount. Due to such a structure, a pair of conventional inline skates occupies a considerable amount of space and needs to be carried in a large bag, which is inconvenient. Furthermore, as the wheels are rotary, the inline skates cannot be stood on the floor for placement purposes and need to be placed in a bag or laid sidewise on the floor.

[0005] Therefore, the carrying and storage of the conventional inline skates are problems to be solved. The inventor of this invention has therefore made improvements on the wheels and wheel mount and has eventually conceived of a wheel mount capable of folding and extending wheels in order to overcome the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The main object of the present invention is to provide an inline skate wheel mount with foldable wheels, which utilizes the principle of linkage to configure the folding and extending mechanisms of the wheels so that the wheels can be folded and stowed in the wheel mount to thereby reduce the size of the inline skate for convenient carrying and storage. Besides, the inline skate can be erected upright for placement purposes to prevent slanting to one side or damage resulting from such slanting.

[0007] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, an inline skate wheel mount with foldable wheels according to the present invention includes: a base plate; two side plates locked to two sides of the base plate; a front wheel set movably connected to front ends of the two side plates; a rear wheel set movably connected to tail ends of the two side plates, the rear wheel set having a periphery provided with a plurality of retaining grooves; a middle wheel set movably connected to the two side plates between the front and rear wheel sets; a linkage including at least one transverse link and at least one rear link, the transverse link having two ends respectively and movably connected to the front and rear wheel sets, the rear link having two ends respectively and movably connected to the rear wheel set and the middle wheel set; a press positioning structure disposed between the tail ends of the two side plates and including a positioning shaft connected to a press plate and having two ends inserted in one of the retaining grooves of the rear wheel set.

[0008] The present invention utilizes the principle of linkage to configure the folding and extending mechanisms of the wheels so that the wheels can be folded and stowed in the wheel mount to thereby reduce the size of the inline skate for convenient carrying and storage. Besides, the inline skate can be erected upright for placement purposes to prevent slanting to one side or damage resulting from such slanting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which,

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a wheel mount and wheels according to the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the wheel mount of the present invention

[0012]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 3;

[0013]FIG. 4A is a side view showing a first stage of folding operation of the wheels of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 4B is a side view showing a second stage of the folding operation of the wheels of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 4C is a side view showing a third stage of the folding operation of the wheels of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 4D is a side view showing a fourth stage of the folding operation of the wheels of the present invention; and

[0017]FIG. 4E is a side view showing a fifth stage of the folding operation of the wheels of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the preferred embodiment of an inline skate wheel mount with foldable wheels according to the present invention is shown to include a base plate 10, two side plates 20, 20′, a front wheel set, a rear wheel set, a middle wheel set, two transverse links 60, 60′, two rear links 70, a press positioning structure, and a set of return spring 90.

[0019] The base plate 10 has a top face insertably connected to a bottom groove in a skate body (not shown).

[0020] The two side plates 20, 20′ are locked to two sides of the base plate 10 using locking elements 21.

[0021] The front wheel set includes a front wheel clamp 30, which has one end movably and pivotally clamping a front wheel 32 via a pin 31, with the other end thereof movably and pivotally connected to front ends of the two side plates 20, 20′ via another pin 33. The two side plates 20, 20′ confine a receiving space therebetween for receiving the wheel sets.

[0022] The rear wheel set includes a rear wheel clamp 40, which has a lower end movably and pivotally clamping a rear wheel 42 via a pin 41. The narrow edge of a clamp plate of the rear wheel clamp 40 is provided with a first retaining groove 43 and a second retaining groove 44. An upper end of the rear wheel clamp 40 is movably and pivotally connected to the side plates 20, 20′ via a pin 45.

[0023] The middle wheel set is disposed between the front and rear wheel sets, and includes a middle wheel clamp 50 having a lower end movably and pivotally clamping a middle wheel 52 via a pin 51, and an upper end having both sides respectively and movably connected to bottom ends of the two side plates 20, 20′ via a connecting element 53.

[0024] The transverse two links 60, 60′ respectively abut against inner sides of the two side plates 20, 20′, and have front and rear ends respectively and pivotally connected to the front wheel clamp 30 and the rear wheel clamp 40 via pins 61, 62. The side plates 20, 20′ are respectively provided with curved elongate holes 23 for sliding displacement of the pin 62 therein.

[0025] Each of the two rear links 70′ has two ends respectively and pivotally connected to the middle wheel clamp 50. The two ends of the pins 51, 41 at the lower end of the rear wheel clamp 40 are located on the outer sides of the wheel clamp.

[0026] The press positioning structure is provided between tail ends of the two side plates 20, 20′, and includes a positioning shaft 80, which has two ends extending through open holes 22 in the two side plates and inserted into the first retaining grooves 43. The positioning shaft 80 is connected to an elastic press plate 81. The press plate 81 has an end portion extending through a window 12 preformed in a rear wall 11 of the base plate 10 for pressing by the user. A coiled spring 82 is disposed between the press plate 81 and the positioning shaft 80. One end of the coiled spring 82 abuts against the upper end of the rear wall 11 of the base plate 10, while the other end thereof urges against the press plate 81 adjacent to the positioning shaft 80. The elastic force of the spring provides a force to enable the positioning shaft 80 to press downwardly under normal conditions so that the two ends thereof engage the first retaining grooves 43.

[0027] The set of return spring 90 is in the form of two coiled springs sleeved on the pin 45. One end of the two springs 90 abuts against the lower end of the rear wall 11 of the base plate 10, with the other end thereof urging against the pin 62 at the rear end of the two transverse links 60, 60′. The elastic force of the springs provides the two transverse links 60, 60′ with a forward pushing force.

[0028] Reference is made to FIGS. 4A to 4E, which illustrate the successive folding operation of the wheels.

[0029] In FIG. 4A, the wheels are in an extended state of use. In this mode, by virtue of the elastic stretching force of the coiled spring 82 to urge against the positioning shaft 80, the two ends of the positioning shaft 80 can be retained in the first retaining grooves 43 of the rear wheel clamp 40. In addition, the stretching elastic force of the return spring 90 provides a pushing force to push the transverse links 60, 60′ in the direction of the front wheel under normal conditions. At this time, the front wheel clamp 30, the rear wheel clamp 40, and the middle wheel clamp 50 are in an upright state, with the front wheel 32, the rear wheel 42 and the middle wheel 52 extending out of the wheel mount.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 4B, to prepare for folding of the wheels, the press plate 81 is initially pressed downward so that the positioning shaft 80 t the other end of the press plate 81 compresses the coiled spring 82. The two ends of the positioning shaft 80 disengage from the first retaining grooves 43 and move into the open hole 22 in the side plates 20, 20′.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 4C, an obliquely upward force is exerted on the rear wheel 42. The exertion of force can be done in two ways. One is to push the rear wheel 42 forward and upward. The other is to tilt the wheel mount rearward to stand on the rear wheel 42 alone before exertion of a downward force. At this time, the rear wheel 42 displaces forward and upward obliquely, and the rear wheel clamp 40 starts rotating with the pin 45 as center. The pin 62 displaces along the curved elongate hole 23. The first retaining grooves 43 displace toward the rear end of the wheel mount, while the second retaining grooves 44 displace upward. The pin 62 pulls the transverse links 60, 60′ to displace toward the rear end of the wheel mount. The transverse links 62 further drag the front wheel clamp 30 so that the front wheel clamp 30, with the pin 33 as center, brings the front wheel 30 to displace toward the wheel mount. At the same time, rotation of the rear wheel 42 and the rear wheel clamp 40 drags the rear links 70, 70′ to displace toward the direction of the front wheel 32. The rear links 70, 70′ further drags the middle wheel clamp 50 so that the middle wheel clamp 50 swings forward with the connecting element 53 as center.

[0032] The operation in FIG. 4D follows the pattern illustrated in FIG. 4C, wherein the front wheel 32, the rear wheel 42 and the middle wheel 52 are all stowed inside the receiving space of the wheel mount, with the second retaining grooves 44 of the rear wheel clamp 40 corresponding to the two ends of the positioning shaft 80.

[0033] In FIG. 4E, the press plate 81 is released so that the coiled spring 82 is released and stretches, thereby pressing the positioning shaft 80 so that the two ends thereof engage the second retaining grooves 44 of the rear wheel clamp 40. Thus, all the wheel clamps and the wheels are foldably positioned in the wheel mount.

[0034] If it is desired to release the wheels for use, it is necessary to press the press plate 81 downward once again so that the two ends of the positioning shaft 80 disengage from the second retaining grooves 44. At this time, the return spring 90 is released so that it is restored to its original position to push the transverse links 60, 60′ forward. The front wheel clamp 30, the rear wheel clamp 40, the middle wheel clamp 50, the transverse links 60, 60′, the rear links 70, 70′ displace opposite to the direction shown in FIG. 4C until all the wheels are extended, as shown in FIG. 1. The press plate 81 is released so that the two ends of the positioning shaft 80 once again engage the first retaining grooves 43.

[0035] The present invention utilizes the principle of linkage to configure the folding and extending mechanisms of the wheels so that the wheels can be folded and stowed in the wheel mount to thereby reduce the size of the inline skate for convenient carrying and storage. Besides, the inline skate can be erected upright for placement purposes to prevent slanting to one side or damage resulting from such slanting.

[0036] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiment but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An inline skate wheel mount with foldable wheels, said wheel mount comprising: a base plate; two side plates locked to two sides of said base plate and confining a receiving space therebetween; a plurality of wheel sets movably connected to said two side plates and located on a bottom portion of said wheel mount; a linkage movably connected to said wheel sets for controlling extension of said wheel sets out of said wheel mount and controlling folding of said wheel sets in said receiving space between said two side plates; and a press positioning structure disposed between tail ends of said two side plates for retaining and positioning said wheel sets.
 2. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 1, further comprising at least one return spring, said return spring providing a pushing force acting on said linkage such that said linkage controls said wheel set to extend out of said wheel mount.
 3. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 1, wherein said wheel sets include a front wheel set, a rear wheel set and a middle wheel set.
 4. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 3, wherein said front wheel set includes a front wheel clamp, said front wheel clamp having one end connected to a front wheel, the other end thereof being movably connected to a front end of said two side plates via a pin.
 5. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 3, wherein said middle wheel set includes a middle wheel clamp, said middle wheel clamp having one end movably connected to a middle wheel, the other end thereof being movably connected to a middle position of said two side plates via a pin.
 6. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 3, wherein said linkage includes at least one transverse link and a rear link.
 7. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 6, wherein said transverse link has two ends movably connected to said front and rear wheel sets, said rear link having two ends respectively and movably connected to said rear wheel set and said middle wheel set.
 8. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 7, wherein said side plate is provided with a curved elongate hole for extension of a connecting structure of said rear wheel set and said transverse link therethrough.
 9. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 3, wherein said rear wheel set includes a rear wheel clamp, said rear wheel clamp having a lower end movably connected to a rear wheel, and an upper end movably connected to a tail end position of said two side plates via a pin.
 10. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 9, wherein said pin of said rear wheel clamp is provided with a coiled return spring, said return spring having one end abutting against a tail end wall of said base plate, the other end thereof abutting against said connecting structure of said rear wheel and said linkage.
 11. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 9, wherein said rear wheel clamp has a periphery provided with a first retaining groove and a second retaining groove for retaining said press positioning structure.
 12. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 11, wherein said press positioning structure includes a positioning shaft, said positioning shaft being connected to a press plate, said positioning shaft having two ends insertably disposed in said first retaining groove of said rear wheel set such that said wheel set can extend out of said bottom portion of said wheel mount.
 13. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 11, wherein said press positioning structure includes a positioning shaft, said positioning shaft being connected to a press plate, said positioning shaft having two ends insertably disposed in said second retaining groove of said rear wheel set such that said wheel set can be folded into said bottom portion of said wheel mount.
 14. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 11, wherein said press positioning structure includes a positioning shaft, said positioning shaft being connected to a press plate, a coiled spring being disposed between said press plate and said positioning shaft.
 15. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 14, wherein said coiled spring provides said positioning shaft with a downward pressing elastic force such that said two ends of said positioning shaft can be retained in one of said first and second retaining grooves.
 16. The inline skate wheel mounting seat with foldable wheels according to claim 1, wherein said coiled spring has one end abutting against an upper end of a rear wall of said base plate, the other end thereof pressing a portion of said press plate that is adjacent to said positioning shaft. 